Industry Visit to Hysan Place
Hysan Place is built to the highest international environmental and sustainability standards. It received provisional Platinum certification under BEAM Plus for new buildings, as well as Merit Award, New Building – Hong Kong (Building Under Construction) in Green Building Award 2012. It is also the first mixed-use office and vertical mall complex in Greater China to be awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for Core and Shell by the U.S. Green Building Council.
BEC is organising the Industry Visit to Hysan Place on 27June 2013 (Thursday). Some places demonstrating its sustainability will be opened to you specially.
From this Visit, you can learn more about the best practice in green building management in such a fashion elite.

Development, Power, and the Environment

Neoliberal Paradox in the Age of Vulnerability

Unmasking the neoliberal paradox, this book provides a robust conceptual and theoretical synthesis of development, power and the environment. With seven case studies on global challenges such as under-development, food regime, climate change, dam building, identity politics, and security vulnerability, the book offers a new framework of a "double-risk" society for the Global South.

With apparent ecological and social limits to neoliberal globalization and development, the current levels of consumption are unsustainable, inequitable, and inaccessible to the majority of humans. Power has a great role to play in this global trajectory. Though power is one of most pervasive phenomena of human society, it is probably one of the least understood concepts. The growth of transnational corporations, the dominance of world-wide financial and political institutions, and the extensive influence of media that are nearly monopolized by corporate interests are key factors shaping our global society today. In the growing concentration of power in few hands, what is apparent is a non-apparent nature of power. Understanding the interplay of power in the discourse of development is a crucial matter at a time when our planet is in peril — both environmentally and socially. This book addresses this current crucial need.

Contents:

Part I: Concepts and Theories 1. Challenges of Our Time: Environmental and Social Vulnerabilities with Quek Ri An2. Understanding Power in Social Organization 3. Paradigms of Development and Their Power Dynamics 4. Theorizing Nature-Society Relationships 5. Neoliberal Paradox: Connection Through Disconnection

Part II: Case Studies 6. Development Dynamics in the Global South: From Colonization to Globalization 7. Green Revolution: Transformation, Optimism and Reality 8. Food and Power: The Mirage of the Food Aid Regime 9. Climate Politics: Power and Development in Mortgaging the Planet 10. Tipaimukh Dam: Triumph of Development over the Environment and Popular Voice 11. Labelling Tribal: State-Power in Forming and Transforming Identities 12. A Neoliberal Knowledge/Power/Security Regime After 9/11: The Case of “Muslim Patient”

Macao records 73 days of acid rain in 2012

Xinhua, May 25, 2013\

Macao recorded 73 days where the pH value of rainwater was lower than 5.6 (classified as acid rain) in 2012, according to data from the city's Statistics and Census Service.

In 2012, Macao's mean air temperature (22.3) registered a 0.4 rise year on year. Precipitation totaled 1,556 millimetres, up by 14.1 percent year on year. There were 73 days where the pH value of rainwater was lower than 5.6 (classified as acid rain).

Total land area of Macao measured 29.9 square kilometers at the end of 2012 and the population density stood at 19,000 people per square kilometer, the figures indicated.

Meanwhile, total lane length of public roads was 417.4 kilometers, and the motor vehicle density was 526 vehicles per kilometer.

As for air quality, observation results of Macao's northern district monitoring stations revealed that the air quality level was classified as good for 251 days in 2012, down notably by 43 days from a year earlier.

The figures also indicated that the quality of potable water from the distribution network and water treatment plants of Macao conformed to the standard in 2012.

The size of nature reserves in China reached almost 15 percent of the country's total land area by the end of 2012, exceeding the global average of 12 percent.

Li Ganjie, vice-minister of environmental protection, announced the figure at a celebration of the 2013 International Day for Biological Diversity on Wednesday.

The figure has grown from 6.9 percent in 1993 to 14.9 percent today. The number of national-level nature reserves has increased from 77 to 363, marking the achievements the Chinese government has made to promote biodiversity since the country signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 20 years ago.

"Setting up nature reserves is seen as the core measure in biodiversity conservation to prevent the current loss of species and habitats," said Zhang Shigang, country coordinator of the United Nations Environment Program China.

That's why the theme of the 2013 International Day for Biodiversity in China is "biodiversity and nature reserves", while the international theme is "water and biodiversity".

"The United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment indicates that in the past 50 years, 60 percent of the world's ecosystems have been degraded. Loss of biodiversity reduces our food, medicine, clean air and water. The ecosystem that human beings rely on is fragile," said Zhang Xinsheng, chairman of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Council.

"China has very rich biodiversity of its own," he said. "The 2012 IUCN Red List cites over 5,000 plant and animal species living in China, and of those nearly 1,000 species are under threat."

Patrick Haverman, deputy country director of the United Nations Development Program China, said the natural capital of biodiversity has been greatly overused during the country's pursuit of economic development, and if China's development is to be sustainable in the long term, it must conserve biodiversity as its ecological base.

"The challenge both in China and globally is in harmonizing economic growth with the preservation of the integrity of natural capital. More particularly in China, the challenge is to reconcile the conservation of this country's rich ecosystems with the demands of development, which has already lifted more than 500 million people out of poverty," Haverman said.

He said the UNDP appreciates and supports the significant efforts for biodiversity conservation undertaken in recent years by the Chinese government.

The government has given conservation of biodiversity high priority, according to Vice-Minister Li.

The China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for 2011-2030, released in September 2010, set guidelines for the country's efforts to protect biodiversity over the next 20 years.

A national committee dedicated to biodiversity conservation was also established in 2011.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has welcomed the Philippines’ ranking in the recent global report issued by the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI), indicating that the government has made “meaningful progress” toward better management of mineral resources in the country.

In its 2013 Resource Governance Index, the New York-based policy institute gave the Philippines a score of 63 out of 100 under the "institutional and legal setting," its highest on any component, as a result of its "comprehensive mining legislation."

The country also ranked 23rd overall among 58 resource-rich countries surveyed on the quality of governance in the oil, gas and mineral sectors.

According to DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, such good showing for the country in the institutional and legal setting category was due to the Aquino government’s initiatives to reform the mining sector.

He cited President Benigno Aquino III’s Executive Order (EO) No. 79, which seeks to balance important concerns on mining development in reinforcing environmental protection measures, promoting responsible mining, providing a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme and providing coordinative mechanisms among stakeholders including local government units (LGUs).

“The international community has noted the comprehensiveness of our mining laws and how they facilitate transparency, accountability and open or fair competition,” Paje said.

He added: “This is indirectly a recognition that the issuance of EO 79 by President Aquino was indeed the perfect vehicle to reform the mining industry and improve government royalty rates while at the same time ensuring intergenerational equity.”

EO 79 bans mining in prime agricultural and fishing areas as well as in 78 designated ecotourism sites, including almost the entire province of Palawan. It also disallows the issuance of new mining permits until Congress passes a measure increasing the royalty tax imposed on the gross earnings of mining companies to 5 percent from the current 2 percent.

The presidential directive calls for a thorough review of existing mining operations to ensure compliance with mining and environmental laws. It likewise underscores the need for national laws and local ordinances to be harmonized to ensure the proper management and regulation of the lucrative industry.

Based on the RWI study, the Philippines ranked in the top half of countries surveyed on all four components, “suggesting that the government has made meaningful progress toward improved resource governance.” Norway, United States and United Kingdom topped this year's survey.

Aside from institutional and legal setting, other index components are reporting practices, safeguards and quality controls, and enabling environment.

RWI said the Aquino administration provides more information than its predecessors, noting that maps of licensing areas are posted online and copies of contracts can be requested from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), an attached agency of the DENR.

The policy institute also said that the MGB regularly publishes information on mineral reserves, production, investments, approved operations and disaggregated revenues.

RWI aims to promote effective, transparent and accountable resource management through the resource governance index, which measures the quality of governance in the oil, gas and mining sectors of 58 selected countries.

The Philippines was particularly measured for its mineral resources, having produced 11 percent of the world’s nickel in 2010. The country’s rich natural resources also include major copper deposits, chromium, gold, and silver; minerals made up 8 percent of merchandise exports in 2011.#

Gov't to remove electricity subsidies for companies next year2013-05-22

May 22, 2013Yonhap News Agency

electricity subsidies-endGov't to remove electricity subsidies for companies next year SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- The government plans to scrap electricity subsidies for companies next year as it seeks ways to reduce energy consumption and save budget, officials said Wednesday.

The government has offered the subsidies to companies that cut either more than 20 percent of their average electricity use or more than 3,000 kilowatts per day during peak hours.

The subsidies surged to more than 400 billion won (US$359 million) in 2012 from 27.4 billion won in 2009. The dramatic jump comes as unusually high and low temperatures gripped the country during summer and winter in recent years.

The government is considering ways that would slap surcharges on companies that use electricity during peak hours, or mandate them to reduce electricity use.

The move comes a week after the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy submitted the plan to President Park Geun-hye during a meeting on the country's fiscal health.

The plan "is meant to control electricity demand in a reasonable way and reduce budget spending," a government official said, noting big companies received most of the current subsidies.

Hyundai Steel Mill Co., a steelmaker affiliated with the country's top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co., received 34.3 billion won in subsidies between 2008 and 2011.

POSCO, the world's fourth-biggest steelmaker, and Dongkuk Steel Mill Co. received subsidies of 7.9 billion won and 6.2 billion won during the cited period, respectively.

"What is important is to come up with countermeasures to ensure that there won't be problems with supply and demand of electricity," an official of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said.

Last year, South Korea issued numerous power shortage warnings during peak seasons in summer and winter.

The government has said it will raise the country's power reserve rate to 21.2 percent in 2015 from 3.8 percent in 2012.

The power reserve rate is a crucial indicator of stability in power supply with a reserve rate of below 4 percent of total generation capacity considered dangerous.

South Korea imports nearly 97 percent of all fuel, such as oil or coal, for energy consumption.

carbon capture-plantS. Korea constructs its first carbon capture facilitySEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday began operating its first carbon capture facility at a thermal power plant that is designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 90 percent.

The carbon capture and storage (CCS) unit at the Boryeong Thermal Power Plant Complex on the country's west coast is currently attached to a 10-megawatt station to test its effectiveness, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The CCS facility is expected to capture about 80,000 tons, or over 90 percent, of carbon dioxide per year from the 10,000-kilowatt power generation facility.

"It is a test unit that will check its actual effectiveness in practice before the CCS unit is applied to larger power stations with a maximum generation capacity of 100,000-500,000 kilowatts," the ministry said in a press release.

The CCS unit, if proven effective, will help significantly reduce the country's greenhouse gas emission.

South Korea voluntarily pledged in 2009 to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from its business-as-usual levels in 2020.

However, the country currently plans to build an additional 12 thermal power generation facilities with a combined total generation capacity of 10.74 million kilowatts by 2027.

The ministry such an increase of thermal power plants was inevitable because of their low cost.

One kilowatt of electricity generated from a thermal power plant is currently sold at 66.3 won (US$0.06) while the same amount of electricity from a hydraulic power plant costs 180.9 won or $0.16, while the same amount from a solar power plant costs 599.3 won or $0.53, according to the ministry.

"The successful development of the greenhouse gas capture plant will enable a new paradigm in the country's policy on thermal power plants while providing a brand new hope in fight against global warming," Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick said, according to the ministry.

S Korea-ammonia fuelS. Korea develops ammonia-fueled vehicleSEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Tuesday unveiled its first vehicle partly fueled by ammonia, an alternative to fossil fuel that produces no greenhouse gases.

The vehicle, developed by the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), uses a mixture of ammonia and gasoline that is 70 percent ammonia, which reduces the car's emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 70 percent, according to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, which produces only the two materials and no greenhouse gases when combusted.

Developers from KIER also said the car may be a better option than other clean-energy vehicles, such as a fuel-cell electric vehicle, which also produces no greenhouse gas emissions, as ammonia is much more stable than other liquid fuel.

Also, ammonia can be used to fuel any conventional vehicle with only a few modifications to the vehicle's existing system.

If the technology was applied to only 20 percent of all vehicles in the country, it would cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions by over 10 million tons, or 15 percent of the total, per year, they said.

The only existing difficulty is the relatively high price of ammonia, KIER noted, but said its developers were already coming up with ways to produce ammonia through faster and cheaper means.

Over time, close interactions between humans and their surroundings have created resilient socio-ecological production landscapes (SEPLs) in many parts of the world. When wisely managed, SEPLs have the potential to sustain rich levels of biodiversity while enhancing human well-being. This policy report provides an in-depth look at the importance of developing a holistic set of indicators for policy-makers and communities to better understand the resilience of SEPLs. In addition, it shares first experiences and lessons learned from application of the indicators in Cuba’s Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve.

With global energy demand increasing around 35 percent from 2010 to 2040, ExxonMobil foresees global gas demand rising by 65 percent through 2040 and will have overtaken coal as the second-largest energy source, after oil.

Unconventional resources found in shale and other tight rock formations were once considered uneconomic to produce. Today, technology is helping unlock these resources in North America, with growing opportunities around the world.

Dr. K. S. Cheung will share his knowledge of the two technologies– horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing – which have been used for decades to economically access and produce natural gas and oil found in shale and tight rock. These technologies have unlocked vast new supplies of natural gas and oil, which otherwise would not have been commercially viable.

Dr. K.S. Cheungobtained his PhD Degree from University of Chicago in Organic Chemistry and Bachelor Degree from Chinese University of Hong Kong, and spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow at University of California in San Francisco. He joined ExxonMobil in 1997 and since then has assumed various management positions in Sales, Marketing, Technology Department in Hong Kong and China. He currently works in Global Specialty Polymer Technology Department as Senior Application Development Engineer. With his rich experience in the chemical industry, he serves as an advisor to provide training and technical advice to Application Development Technology Engineers in ExxonMobil Asia Pacific.

Kindly note that presentation materials will only be distributed to member attendees.

Youth Sustainability Summit 2013

Be Inspired to InspireDate: 14-15 Jun 2013

Have you ever thought of making an impact to our society? Meeting with young people from Africa, USA, Hungary etc. in 2 days? Talking to leaders in various fields? Contributing to future policy planning? And a lot more!

AIESEC in Hong Kong is organizing Youth to Sustainability Summit 2013, an international conference to connect and draw thoughts and insights on CSR, Environment and Education topics. You are encouraged to share your ideas on “A Sustainable Hong Kong” with 400 local and overseas youth, entrepreneurs, social leaders, our government and the Hong Kong community. Register at http://tinyurl.com/bqlkx7q for the conference and join us in the coming June.

Venue : LG3 Car Park at HKUST Clear Water Bay (from the main entrance of the University turn left at the "Red Bird" roundabout and take the road down the hill towards Towers 1 & 2. Take the second turn right into the covered car park - it will be signposted.

The Summer Garage Sale & Market is run on a non-profit making basis and all surplus funds will be donated to charity and will have over 190 tables selling a wide variety of new & secondhand goods. This event supports the 5-R's (Re-cycle, Re-duce, Re-place, Re-think and Re-use) and is open to the general public as well as HKUST staff & their families, students and alumni. Parking, food & drinks available. Entrance is free.

Reservation of table is necessary. Table reservations are to be made before 8 May and payment of table hire fee to be completed within 1 week of e-mail registration.

Cost for each table (table size approx. 6ft x 2 ft – 1800mm x 600mm) is HK$80 per table for selling only secondhand items or HK$200 per table for selling commercial items (this includes items purchased for re-sale which are included with secondhand items).

To make a reservation send an e-mail to gujean@ust.hk requesting your table reservation, together with your name, e-mail address, contact (mobile) telephone number and if commercial items are being sold, please indicate the type of goods which will be on sale.

Charity Donation Boxes will be located in a separate area on the right-hand side of the entrance to the Garage Sale for clothes, shoes, bags, toys, books and household items etc in good condition which you may wish to donate to support the HKUST Student Charities.

Greening partner campaign launches

May 25, 2013

The Development Bureau's Be Our Greening Partner campaign launched today, with key events such as a Greening Partner Charter and activities such as community tree surveillance talks, landscape design seminars, tree appreciation visits, and Old and Valuable Tree guided tours.

The campaign is among the "Hong Kong: Our Home" campaign activities under the theme Fresh Hong Kong.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Secretary for Development Paul Chan said the Government has been promoting greening, tree care and public participation in associated activities. The campaign aims to encourage people and organisations to contribute to a green environment.

Mr Chan said community involvement not only fosters appreciation and care for trees and a green environment, but also enhances knowledge of tree management and injects positive energy into building and sustaining a green community.

A seminar was held after the launch with five experts sharing their knowledge on tree care and management.

One of the campaign's key activities is the launch of the "Greening Partner Charter". Interested parties can subscribe to it as organisations or individuals, pledging to join and promote the campaign for a quality green environment and better tree management in Hong Kong.

More than 250 representatives from various sectors including hotels and restaurants, residential estates and shopping malls, government departments, schools and universities, green groups, women's organisations and food recipient organisations participated in the launch ceremony at Olympian City 2 today to show their support for the Campaign.

The Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign, one of the signature events under the theme of "Fresh Hong Kong" of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign, aims to promote public awareness of the food waste problem in Hong Kong and instill behavioural changes in various sectors of the community with a view to reducing food waste generation.

Officiating at today's ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, said food waste reduction is one of the key initiatives in the environmental policy of the current-term Government, calling on every member of the public to work together to tackle the problem and put into practice "123" tips in daily life. The three tips are: first, to avoid leftovers in every meal; second, to make good use of food trimmings for the second dish; and third, to think before you buy to avoid wastage. In addition, the commercial and industrial sectors can reduce food waste and operating cost through good planning and management. She was delighted to witness the overwhelming response from different sectors and thanked members of the public for their support to the Campaign.

Addressing the ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said about 40 per cent of municipal solid waste disposed of at landfills every day is food waste. Of which, about 70 per cent of food waste come from the domestic sector and the rest from the commercial and industrial sectors.

Sharing his thoughts on food waste reduction, Mr Wong said we have to share the responsibilities and change our habits, treasure the resources on the Earth and donate excessive food to the needy. Meanwhile, he said commercial and industrial sectors and households could also adopt green cooking ideas.

The Food Wise Hong Kong Steering Committee (FWHKSC) for the Campaign, which is chaired by the Secretary for the Environment, has built up a Food Wise Charter and has invited various organisations to be Food Wise partners. Up to now, over 150 organisations, including various trades, non-governmental organisations and government departments, have signed the Charter to show their support for the Campaign and to commit to reducing food waste. Representatives of more than 90 organisations participated in the launch ceremony to pledge their concerted efforts to practising food waste reduction.

Today's ceremony also featured the first appearance of a "Big Waster", a character symbolising food wastage, and to remind members of the public not to waste food and to change wasteful habits.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Permanent Secretary for the Environment/Director of Environmental Protection, Ms Anissa Wong; the Chairman of Subcommittee of the General Publicity and Education of the FWHKSC, Mr Poon Kai-tik; and the Chairman of the Subcommittee of Food Waste Reduction Good Practices in Institutions and Commercial and Industrial Establishments of the FWHKSC, Mr Daryl Ng.

The FWHKSC was set up in December last year to formulate and oversee the implementation strategy and programme of the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign.

Under the Campaign, a host of publicity activities and educational programmes, including exhibitions and competitions, will be organised. In addition, the recruitment of individual Food Wise Ambassadors from the community and organisations has commenced. Training will be provided to help ambassadors to spread the message and practical tips about food waste reduction across the community.

Tool kits and practice guides are also being drawn up with trades and organisations to assist relevant sectors in adopting food waste management in their daily operations and individual households in practising food waste reduction in daily life. Up to now, four sets of food waste reduction good practice guides and tips have been developed for the hotel sector, the food and beverage sector, the shopping mall sector and the residential sector respectively.

In addition, support will be rendered to non-governmental organisations to conduct community events and workshops to help disseminate the food waste reduction message and practices. Other highlights of the Campaign include the promotion of food donation to charitable organisations from establishments with surplus food.

Blueprint for sustainable use of resources maps out Hong Kong's comprehensive waste management strategy for coming 10 years (with photos/videos)************************************************************

The Environment Bureau today (May 20) unveiled "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022", which analyses the challenges and opportunities of waste management in Hong Kong, and maps out a comprehensive strategy, targets, policies and action plans for waste management for the coming 10 years with a view to tackling the waste crisis in Hong Kong.

Speaking at the press conference on the blueprint for sustainable use of resources, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said, "To face the challenges of the waste issue fundamentally, we need the joint efforts of the entire community to embrace an environmentally sustainable culture in daily life, and to use less and waste less of the Earth's resources. We aim to reduce the per capita disposal rate of municipal solid waste by 40 per cent by 2022."

To achieve this goal, the blueprint proposes policies and actions in three areas. Firstly, the Government will undertake multiple and concurrent actions to drive behavioural change to reduce waste at source through policies and legislation, including municipal solid waste charging and producer responsibility schemes. Secondly, the Government will roll out targeted territory-wide waste reduction campaigns, such as those on food waste reduction and glass beverage bottle recycling. Thirdly, the Government will allocate resources to enhance waste-related infrastructure, including organic waste treatment facilities, waste-to-energy integrated waste management facilities and landfill extensions.

Support and participation from members of the public and different trades is key to achieving the targets of the blueprint. On waste reduction in particular, the support of the community for various policies, compliance and measures is of utmost importance to their effectiveness.

Mr Wong said that the greatest challenge we are facing now is our large per capita waste load with our incomplete infrastructure. The blueprint focuses on our core problems and outlines a comprehensive waste management strategy covering mid- to long-term goals, concrete actions and a timetable, demonstrating the Government's determination in tackling our waste management problem.

"The blueprint tackles waste problems from a resource re-circulation perspective. As part of waste reduction, we encourage the public to reuse and recycle. Unavoidable waste will be turned into energy by modern technology while disposal at landfills will be the last resort. Under this framework, waste management in Hong Kong will have a more balanced structure.

"We expect that by 2022, waste recycling, modern incineration and landfill disposal in Hong Kong will account for 55 per cent, 23 per cent and 22 per cent respectively. This allocation would be closer to the widely adopted waste management structure in the advanced economies, transforming our current practice, which relies solely on landfills for end-of-pipe treatment," stressed Mr Wong.

The waste problem is a phenomenal challenge in the area of environmental protection in Hong Kong. The issue has been discussed over the years, and action is needed without further delay. The Government is taking the lead to put forward the blueprint, and the participation and support of the entire community is needed to make changes.

"Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022" is available on the websites of the Environment Bureau (www.enb.gov.hk) and the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk).